Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Kingwood, TX

My approach for therapy is to first establish a good rapport with the clients. I welcome questions along the way, and especially in intake let them know they can share what they are comfortable with and to respect their boundaries.

I work with clients while working on things like developing healthy coping skills, learning to set realistic goals, reframing and restructuring, genograms, as well as teaching relaxation and breathing exercises, mindfulness, grounding techniques, guided imagery, and journaling exercises.

I know clients are making meaningful progress in therapy when they are gaining more insight into their issues, start catching themselves with old thinking and problem solving patterns. Clients are better able to regulate their emotions and behaviors are improving. Clients' relationships with their peers and family are becoming stronger. Also when they discuss how they are starting to feel like themselves again, starting to do more tasks (school, home), as well as show increased interest and motivation for some of their fun activities again.

Clients can do many things in their personal time to supplement therapy. They can supplement their time between sessions by working on some of the exercises and techniques reviewed with them in sessions. Other activities getting outside or hanging out with friends or family is also good. Get involved in various art or creative activities that have been previously enjoyed or try a new artistic pursuit. Practicing self-compassion and letting yourself just be and to get plenty of rest is also helpful.

To prepare for your first therapy session, you can write down a list of questions and concerns to discuss. This can include current stressors in your life, past issues/events that have occurred that you may want to address, as well as current symptoms and how long you have been experiencing them. Of course, you will want to think about what you want to work on while in therapy, as well as what goals you want to strive for.